Ultimate Vaccination Guide for Africa Travel

You’ve decided to book a trip to Africa, it’s a dream trip and you’re so excited you momentarily forget about the preparation involved in a trip of this kind. When you finally come back to earth, you realize there is much more preparation then you initially thought and you may find yourself instantly overwhelmed.

Don’t panic! We are here to help with this ultimate vaccination guide for Africa. Whether you are just going for a 2 week safari, volunteer work or a 4 month overland expedition, we are going to go through all the must-haves and some of the other things you should be aware of during your travels.

To help keep it interesting, we’ll add some photos from our travels in Africa. Who says medical stuff can’t be exciting? The sooner you have this out of the way, the sooner you can get back to your itinerary planning.

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What Vaccines Do I Need for an Overland Safari in Africa?

Preparing for a trip to Africa can be an exciting and confusing time. Your medical health is something you should not overlook and we are here to help you wade through some of the information based on our own travel experiences. Outlined below is a list of the key diseases you should be aware of and obtain vaccinations for before traveling to Africa.

Disclaimer: We are not doctors, nor do we pretend to be. We are educated, well-traveled people that understand the importance of medical needs when traveling to countries around the World. This information should not be replaced by information that is given by your practicing travel doctor and you should consult with them prior to taking any medication or traveling abroad. This guide is simply to provide information and help you become an educated traveler.

Yellow Fever

Yellow Fever is a mosquito born illness that is prevalent in some areas of Africa and South America. It causes high-fever, jaundice and renal failure. In someone that has not been vaccinated, it can be fatal.

Some countries in Africa will not permit you to enter without providing proof of vaccination for Yellow Fever. There is no cure for it, so getting the vaccination is your best move to protect yourself from getting it. Once you have it, your travel doctor will issue you an International Certificate of Prophylaxis that includes all the information pertaining to your vaccine. Keep this with your passport.

When to get it: Yellow Fever must be given 10 days or more before leaving. It is a live vaccine, so it has to be given on the same day as other live vaccines or 3 weeks apart.

Side Effects: This vaccine is known for side effects including swelling and redness at the injection site and fever. David experienced the redness and swelling at the injection site, while I experienced a high fever for several days after receiving the vaccine.

Rabies

Rabies is a disease that can be contracted through contact with infected animals. While it is not prevalent in Western countries, it is found in many third world countries. Transmission occurs through an animals saliva, either a bite or lick.

You will see many stray dogs and cats in your travels and no matter how sweet they look, resist the urge to pet them. While they may appear perfectly fine, that doesn’t mean they are not carrying the virus. Having the vaccination does not mean you will not contract rabies, it just means that if you are bitten by an animal with rabies you have a better chance of surviving. Don’t forget, monkeys carry rabies and most exhibit no symptoms, do not try to pet or feed monkeys!

When to get it: Rabies is a 3-dose vaccination that has to be given on a strict schedule to be affective. It is given on days 0, 7, 21-28. Boosters should be given every 2-3 years.

Side Effects: Redness and swelling at the injection site.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is contracted through contaminated water or food. It is commonly contracted through shellfish or person-to-person contact. 90% of people will not show symptoms but the ones that do will include fever, upset stomach, rash, vomiting and diarrhea.

If you are coming from a Western country, you are more at risk due to the sanitary conditions and your body will have no time to develop immunization from the pre-exposure to Hepatitis A.

When to get it: Hepatitis A is a 2-dose vaccination that should be given 30 days apart. This provides protection for 1 year, however if you are given an additional booster 6-12 months later, you will be protected for 20 years. It is best to have the first shot 6 months before your departure date so you can complete the full course before you travel. If this is not possible, then you can have the first 2 shots before you leave, and have the booster shot while you are on the road.

Side Effects: Swelling and redness at injection site, fever, loss of appetite, headache and dizziness.

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Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a serious disease caused by a virus that attacks the liver. It is spread through bodily fluids, contaminated medical equipment and sexual contact.

When to get it: Hepatitis B is a 3-dose vaccination that is given over 6 months. Most people will get this vaccination as infants but if you haven’t gotten it, you shouldn’t travel without it.

Side Effects: Swelling and redness at injection site, fever, loss of appetite, headache and dizziness.

Meningitis

Meningitis (formally known as Meningoccal disease) is a life-threating illness. It is caused by a bacterium that infects the blood, brain and spine. The disease is spread person-to-person and is easily spread in crowd settings where you can catch it from a person that looks healthy.

Even with proper treatment, 15% of people that contract this disease die. Meningitis can cause shock, coma and death within hours of the first symptoms. Vaccination is the best way to prevent meningitis so it doesn’t hurt to add it to the list.

When to get it: Meningitis is a 2-dose vaccination that should be given 30 days apart. This provides protection for 1 year, however if you are given an additional booster 6-12 months later, you will be protected for 20 years. It is best to have the first shot 6 months before your departure date so you can complete the full course before you travel. If this is not possible, then you can have the first 2 shots before you leave, and have the booster shot while you are on the road.

Side Effects: Swelling and redness at injection site, fever, loss of appetite, headache and dizziness.

Travel Insurance: We use for Allianz for travel insurance and have since our first trip to Mexico in 2003. They’ve been there for us on our adventures – and many friends and readers – multiple times over! If you want to book with Allianz Travel Insurance, simply use this link to get their travel insurance!

Typhoid

Typhoid fever is a serious disease caused by Salmonella typhi and is spread through the ingestion of contaminated food and water. Contaminants include feces and urine of infected people.

Symptoms of typhoid include lasting high fevers, weakness, stomach pains, headache, and loss of appetite. These symptoms will develop 1-3 weeks after exposure and may be anywhere from mild to severe.

When to get it: Typhoid vaccine is available in two ways, live oral or killed injection. The oral vaccine is 4 pills taken over 7 days and is good for 5 years. The killed injection is good for 3 years. Neither of these will protect you 100% so it is important to be vigilant of your food and water sources.

Side Effects: Mild soreness and redness may occur at the injection site. With the oral vaccine, the most common side effects are nausea diarrhea, fever and headache. Serious reactions are very rare in both vaccines.

Polio

Polio is virus that affects the nervous system. It is spread through person-to-person contact. It is also spread through contaminated food or water that has been handled by an infected person.

It has an incubation period of 7-14 days where most cases will exhibit no symptoms. Some cases will experience mild flu-like symptoms, paralysis, bladder dysfunction, impaired swallowing, breathing and speech, which could be fatal.

When to get it: Most people will already have gotten the Polio vaccine as children but anyone who hasn’t completed the 4 shot series should get the remaining shots before traveling to a Polio area on their travels.

Side Effects: Injection site reactions (redness, swelling, tenderness, pain, or a lump), fever, irritability, tiredness, drowsiness, joint pain, body aches, or vomiting.

In addition to the vaccinations that are listed above, you should make sure you are current on your Tetanus/Diptheria/Pertussis vaccination (every 5 years) and Measles/Mumps/Rubella. The Tdp is cheap and an easy one to have updated when you go in for other vaccinations for your trip. The MMR vaccine is usually given to infants. So you are most likely already good on that vaccination, but be sure to check your records before you travel.

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Other Risks to Think About

Not all diseases can be prevented with vaccination and your travels in Africa will certainly expose you to some of them. Be sure you are aware of the disease risks in the areas that you travel. You can find information about all these risks from your travel doctor and on the Center for Disease Controls website for the countries you are traveling through.

Malaria

One of the sicknesses people hear about the most in the mosquito borne Malaria. Luckily, taking a medication prescribed by your travel physician can prevent this disease. There are a number of different alternatives to prevent Malaria depending on the region you plan to visit in Africa. Some Malaria medications will not work at all due to strain immunity so it is very important that you consult with a travel physician about the appropriate medication for your Africa Trip. The two most popular are listed below although there are other options available and the side effects vary widely.

Atovaquone (Malarone) has taken the lead as the most favorable Malaria medication worldwide as it has the fewest side affects. Taken daily, it works to prevent the spread of Malaria through your body should you be bitten by a Malaria infected mosquito. It can also be used to treat a Malaria infection. It is the most expensive option you can take but the loading time of 2 days before reaching the infected area and withdrawal time of only 7 days sometimes makes the price hike worth it.

Doxycycline is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that is often used for Malaria prevention. It is the cheapest option you can find at your pharmacy but the withdrawal time is 4 weeks after leaving the infected area. It also has some side effects that can be challenging while traveling in Africa, such as sensitivity to light and it is known to cause disruptions in the effectiveness of oral contraception.

No matter what option you choose as a Malaria prophylaxis for your travels in Africa be sure to follow the safe practice of limiting mosquito bites as much as you can. Wear long sleeves and pants, limit exposure during dawn to dusk and use 50% plus DEET mosquito repellent.

Dengue Fever

The second mosquito borne illness to watch out for in Dengue Fever and in my opinion this one is much worse than Malaria. There is no medication or vaccination you can take that will prevent your from getting Dengue Fever. The best practice in preventing an infection is to keep yourself covered during prime mosquito time, dawn to dusk, and use the highest amount of DEET repellent you can stand. Make it at least 50% DEET. If you find yourself starting to exhibit the symptoms of Dengue Fever, seek medical attention immediately.

Symptoms of Dengue Fever usually begin four to six days after infection and last for up to 10 days and may include sudden high fever, severe headaches, pain behind the eyes, severe joint & muscle pain, fatigue, nausea, vomiting and skin rashes.

HIV/AIDS

While the chances are slim that you will contract HIV during your travels in Africa you need to remember that Africa has staggering statistics on infected people. Some countries along popular overland routes see numbers like 1 in 5 people having HIV. If you are planning to have any sexual encounters during your travels in Africa, it is imperative that you practice the safest contact you can and use protection.

Gastro Bugs

I think the biggest thing here is to watch what you eat. Eating local, fresh foods is fine as long as you wash them right, cook them at high temperatures and/or peel them. The biggest concern is going to be accidental ingestion of the water. It not only causes stomach upset but can be a host to other serious disease like Hepatitis A and Typhoid.

The biggest symptom is diarrhea, vomiting and fever. If you have an onset of these symptoms, be sure to rest immediately and keep up your fluids. If you can’t get your fever to break do not hesitate to visit a clinic for an evaluation and treatment.

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Bilharzia

If you plan on getting in the water while in Africa, then Bilharzia is something you need to know about. Bilharzia is a parasitic disease caused by blood flukes and is transmitted by snails. It is the third most devastating tropical disease in the World. The only way to prevent it is to not enter any bodies of water; this includes the Zambezi River, devils pools at Victoria Falls, Lake Malawi, Lake Victoria, Lake Tana and the Nile River.

This may sound daunting but you will miss out on far too much by doing this. You will want to go whitewater rafting, swimming and scuba diving during your adventures in Africa. Treatment for Bilharzia can be picked up at a local pharmacy in Africa for a small price and you can take the treatment after you return home to clear any potential infections from your body. Alternatively, just go into your doctor on your return home for a Bilharzia test.

Dehydration

Dehydration can happen very fast while traveling in Africa. You can be easily distracted by the things around you and not thinking about how much water you drink. The next thing you know you are dehydrated with a headache and stomach problems. I can’t stress enough how important it is that you are consuming a minimum of 2 liters of water daily while traveling in Africa. Drinking water seems simple but it will go a long ways in keeping you healthy during your trip.

Prevention: Drink 2 liters of water daily at a minimum. If you find yourself having difficulty drinking water or feeling a little dehydrated, stop into a pharmacy and pick up a box of re hydration sachets. Mix it up as directed and drink it. It will replenish your electrolytes and entice you to consume more water.

Is All of This Really Necessary and Worth the Trouble?

After writing all of this and spending the past 2 years traveling around the World, with 5 months in Africa, the short answer is YES. While I understand each person must take a look at the risks, costs and necessity, I can say without a doubt that it is better to be safe than sorry. Can you imagine contracting any of these diseases or infections during your travels? The answer to that question should tell you the answer. Did I miss anything?

Vaccination Guide for Africa Travel

Disclaimer: We are not doctors, nor do we pretend to be. We are educated, well-traveled people that understand the importance of medical needs when traveling to countries around the World. This information should not be replaced by information that is given by your practicing travel doctor and you should consult with them prior to taking any medication or traveling abroad. This guide is simply to provide information and help you become an educated traveler.

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